Thermal Stability and Crystallization Behaviour of Modified ABS/PP Nanocomposites

In this research work, poly (acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene)/
polypropylene (ABS/PP) blends were processed by melt
compounding in a twin-screw extruder. Upgrading of the thermal
characteristics of the obtained materials was attempted by the
incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), as
well as, by the addition of two types of compatibilizers;
polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) and ABS
grafted with maleic anhydride (ABS-g-MAH). The effect of the
above treatments was investigated separately and in combination.
Increasing the PP content in ABS matrix seems to increase the
thermal stability of their blend and the glass transition temperature
(Tg) of SAN phase of ABS. From the other part, the addition of ABS
to PP promotes the formation of its β-phase, which is maximum at 30
wt% ABS concentration, and increases the crystallization temperature
(Tc) of PP. In addition, it increases the crystallization rate of PP.The
β-phase of PP in ABS/PP blends is reduced by the addition of
compatibilizers or/and organoclay reinforcement. The incorporation
of compatibilizers increases the thermal stability of PP and reduces
its melting (ΔΗm) and crystallization (ΔΗc) enthalpies. Furthermore it
decreases slightly the Tgs of PP and SAN phases of ABS/PP blends.
Regarding the storage modulus of the ABS/PP blends, it presents a
change in their behavior at about 10°C and return to their initial
behavior at ~110°C. The incorporation of OMMT to no compatibilized
and compatibilized ABS/PP blends enhances their storage modulus.

• Marianna I. Triantou
• Petroula A. Tarantili

• Acrylonitrile
• butadiene
• styrene terpolymer
• compatibilizer
• organoclay
• polypropylene.

[1] M. Frounchi, R. P. Burford, "State of compatibility in crystalline
polypropylene/ABS amorphous terpolymer thermoplastic blends. Effect
of styrenic copolymers as compatibilisers”,Iran. J. Polym. Sci. Technol.,
vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 59-68, 1993.
[2] Y. K. Lee, J. B. Lee, D. H. Park, W. N. Kim, "Effects of accelerated
aging and compatibilizers on the mechanical and morphological
properties of polypropylene and poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
blends”, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., vol. 127, issue 2, pp. 1032-1037, 2013.
[3] H. G. Lee, Y.-T. Sung, Y. K. Lee, W. N. Kim, H. G. Yoom, H. S. Lee,
"Effects of PP-g-MAH on the mechanical, morphological and
rheological properties of polypropylene and poly(acrylonitrilebutadiene-
styrene) blends”, Macromol. Res., vol 17, no. 6, pp. 417-423,
2009.
[4] A. C. Patel, R. B. Brahmbhatt, B. D. Sarawade, S. Devi, "Morphological
and mechanical properties of PP/ABS blends compatibilized with PP-gacrylic
acid”, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., vol 81, issue 7, pp. 1731-1741, 2001.
[5] C. K. Kum, Y.-T. Sung, Y. S. Kim, H. G. Lee, W. N. Kim, H. S. Lee, H.
G. Yoon, "Effects of Compatibilizer on Mechanical, Morphological, and
Rheological Properties of Polypropylene/Poly(acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene)
Blends”, Macromol. Res., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 308-314, 2007.
[6] P. Xiang-Fang,P. Jun, X. Xiao-li, T. Lih-Sheng, "Effect of organoclay
on the mechanical properties and crystallization behaviors of injectionmolded
PP/ABS/montmorillonitenanocomposites”, ANTEC conference
proceedings, pp. 1105-1108, 2009.
[7] I. Nigam, D. Nigam, G.N. Marthur, "Effect of Rubber Content of ABS
on Properties of PC/ABS Blends. I. Rheological, Mechanical, and
Thermal Properties”, Polym.-Plast. Technol. Eng., vol. 44, issue 5, pp.
815-832, 2005.
[8] A. C. Patel, R. B. Brahmbhatt, S. Devi, "Mechanical properties and
morphology of PP/ABS blends compatibilized with PP-g-2-HEMA”, J.
Appl. Polym. Sci., vol88, issue 1, pp. 72-78, 2003.
[9] Y. Wang, Q. Zhang, Q. Fu, "Compatibilization of Immiscible
Poly(propylene)/Polystyrene Blends Using Clay”, Macromol. Rapid
Commun., vol. 24, issue 3, pp. 231-235, 2003.
[10] B. Chen, J.R.G. Evans, "Mechanical properties of polymer-blend
nanocomposites with organoclays: Polystyrene/ABS and high impact
polystyrene/ABS”, J. Polym. Sci., Part B:Polym. Phys., vol. 49, issue 6,
pp. 443-454, 2011.
[11] C. C. Ibeh, N. Baker, D. Lamm, S. Wang, D. Weber, J. Oplonitnik,
ANTEC conference proceedings 5, pp. 1893-1897, 2005.
[12] Y. T. Sung, Y. S. Kim, Y. K. Lee, W. N. Kim, H. S. Lee, J. Y. Sung, H.
G. Yoon, "Effects of clay on the morphology of Poly(acrylonitrilebutadiene-
styrene) and polypropylene nanocomposites”, Polym. Eng.
Sci., vol. 47, issue 10, pp. 1671-1677, 2007.
[13] Q. Shu, X. Zou, W. Dai, Z. Fu, "Formation of β-iPP in isotactic
polypropylene/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends: Effect of resin
type, phase composition, and thermal condition”, J.Macromol. Sci., Part
B: Phys., vol. 51, pp. 756-766, 2012.
[14] C Wang, Z. Zhang, Y. Du, J. Zhang, K. Mai, "Effect of acrylonitrile–
butadiene–styrene copolymer(ABS) on β-nucleation in β-nucleated
polypropylene/ABS blends, Polym. Bull., vol 69, pp. 847-859, 2012.
[15] Y. Cai, F. Huang, X. Xia, Q. Wei, X. Tong, A. Wie, W. Gao,
"Comparison between structures and properties of ABS nanocomposites
derived from two different kinds of OMT”, J. Mater. Eng. Perform.,vol.
19, pp. 171-176, 2010.
[16] H. Ma, L. Tong, Z. Xu, Z. Fang, "Clay network in ABS-graft-MAH
nanocomposites: rheology and flammability”,Polym. Degrad. Stab., vol.
92, pp. 1439-1445, 2007.